Page 4 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.14 2020-21

Vitality Women’s FA Cup commitments meant that there were no matches
played in either the Barclays FA WSL or the FA Women’s Championship
over the weekend, but two matches have been played in the WSL in
midweek, both of which were set to produce significant results at either end
of the table.
First of all, on Tuesday night, there was a huge clash in the battle to
avoid relegation with West Ham Utd playing host to Aston Villa.
The Hammers made a fast start with Katerina Svitkova’s effort going
just over the bar and Gilly Flaherty heading narrowly wide, but these were
scarce opportunities with both sides looking to keep things tight at the back.
After the break, West Ham almost took the lead but Villa goalkeeper Lisa Weiss pulled
off a superb save frrom Svitkova’s 20-yard strike, and Weiss also saved well from Cecilie
Redisch. Villa dug in and defended in determined fashion and are likely to be the more satisfied
team of the two as the match finished goalless. Villa therefore move off the bottom of the table
but matters continue to be tight with just two points now covering the bottom four teams.
The following night saw the biggest match of the season so far with Chelsea taking on
Manchester City in their top of the table clash which fully lived up to its billing.
Both sides exchanged chances during the opening stages but on 25 minutes, it was
Chelsea who took the lead. Erin Cuthbert floated a corner on the right into the area and Sam
Kerr rose highest, powering home a header inside the near post for her eighteenth league goal
of the season.
Chelsea’s lead was to last for just three minutes though, Lauren Hemp being released
down the left and her low cross by swept home by Chloe Kelly from four yards out.
This time it was Chelsea’s turn to respond to a setback and they were to strike a blow of
their own. Following a run from the halfway line, Kerr was brought down by Ellie Roebuck in
the area and a penalty was awarded, Pernille Harder stepping up to send Roebuck the wrong
way from the spot and Chelsea were back in front again.
After the break, Kerr was unable to take a good opportunity to increase Chelsea’s lead
when she shot wide but City began to step up the pressure as the half wore on. With fifteen
minutes, they got the break they needed as Fran Kirby’s loose pass was seized on by Kelly whose
low centre was miscued by Millie Bright and Hemp pounced on the loose ball to slot home.
It could have got even better for Hemp as she glanced a header goalwards from a corner,
only for Ann-Katrin Berger to pull off a stunning
save, tipping the ball onto the bar. West Ham Utd 0
Both sides tried to find a way to conjure up Aston Villa 0
-
a winner but had to settle for a 2-2 draw at the final
Manchester City 2 (Kelly 28, Hemp 75)
whistle, leaving Chelsea still in the driving seat Chelsea 2 (Kerr 25, Harder pen 34)
with two matches left to play.
BARCLAYS FA WSL P W D L F A Pts GD
CHELSEA 20 16 3 1 62 10 51 52
MANCHESTER CITY 20 15 4 1 60 13 49 47 LEADING SCORERS
ARSENAL 18 12 2 4 57 14 38 Sam KERR Chelsea 18
43
18
MANCHESTER UTD 19 12 2 5 37 19 38 Vivianne MIEDEMA Arsenal 17
EVERTON 19 9 4 4 38 26 31 Fran KIRBY Chelsea 13
12
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 19 7 3 9 16 35 24 -19lin FOORD Arsenal 10
Cait
READING FC WOMEN 19 4 8 7 21 33 20 -12 Manchester City 9
Ellen WHITE
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 19 4 5 10 16 35 17 -19 Chelsea 8
Pernille HARDER
WEST HAM UTD 18 3 4 11 21 36 13 -15
BIRMINGHAM CITY 18 3 4 11 13 37 13 -24
ASTON VILLA 18 3 2 13 12 44 11 -32
BRISTOL CITY 19 2 5 12 15 66 11 -51
Issue no. 14 - 22 April 2021 news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk